Post by racaille on Feb 18, 2010 7:50:56 GMT
I was really unsure about going to my lesson on Tuesday but realised that I did need to learn the dressage reprise for the 28th. But the sky was threatening and it was cold .....
As soon as P and I set off it started with a sharp wind and needle-like drizzle. I thought it was too cold to make P wade down the river so we had no choice but to go through the village. P was spooky and silly so I set off walking him, which was just as well as we had to go through a funeral procession and then walk down the main road. Funnily enough he was more alarmed by the mourners and the church bells than by the trucks passing us!! In the end P was so silly that I ended up on foot walking him all the way - about 4km. I needed the exercise and at least it kept me warm.
My trainer was seriously impressed that I had made it so I got loads of brownie points. There were three of us in the arena - the other gelding kept bolting away from something behind us in a few trees, which made P do the same. There was a aaaaaaargh moment when both of us were steaming up the arena in mad panic with the poor trainer wondering which way to jump
P was naughty - corners were spooky and the first canter was just a serious of bucks. He got the hump when I wouldn't let him race around but when he's cross he works well so I was quite pleased!
I am finding the circles very difficult, I tend to ride egg shapes and find it difficult to 'see' a 15m circle. Also P can't see the point of cantering circles and then staying in canter for a diagonal and wants to fall back into trot, rightly anticipating the fact that we have to go back into trot before the piste - I have to keep my leg on hard which makes him thunder across and then we have very little time to go back into trot before the turn. Definitely something to work on.
He was still sharp on the return journey because the wind was now howling and the rain driving down. I didn't think it was wise to go back through the village and I thought he could do with a spell in the cold river to calm him down.
We got back soaked through and so cold my skin was burning. By the time I put the boys to bed I had been out four and a half hours. Hot bath and whisky for me! But I was really glad I made the effort - it is peeing down with rain again now.
As soon as P and I set off it started with a sharp wind and needle-like drizzle. I thought it was too cold to make P wade down the river so we had no choice but to go through the village. P was spooky and silly so I set off walking him, which was just as well as we had to go through a funeral procession and then walk down the main road. Funnily enough he was more alarmed by the mourners and the church bells than by the trucks passing us!! In the end P was so silly that I ended up on foot walking him all the way - about 4km. I needed the exercise and at least it kept me warm.
My trainer was seriously impressed that I had made it so I got loads of brownie points. There were three of us in the arena - the other gelding kept bolting away from something behind us in a few trees, which made P do the same. There was a aaaaaaargh moment when both of us were steaming up the arena in mad panic with the poor trainer wondering which way to jump
P was naughty - corners were spooky and the first canter was just a serious of bucks. He got the hump when I wouldn't let him race around but when he's cross he works well so I was quite pleased!
I am finding the circles very difficult, I tend to ride egg shapes and find it difficult to 'see' a 15m circle. Also P can't see the point of cantering circles and then staying in canter for a diagonal and wants to fall back into trot, rightly anticipating the fact that we have to go back into trot before the piste - I have to keep my leg on hard which makes him thunder across and then we have very little time to go back into trot before the turn. Definitely something to work on.
He was still sharp on the return journey because the wind was now howling and the rain driving down. I didn't think it was wise to go back through the village and I thought he could do with a spell in the cold river to calm him down.
We got back soaked through and so cold my skin was burning. By the time I put the boys to bed I had been out four and a half hours. Hot bath and whisky for me! But I was really glad I made the effort - it is peeing down with rain again now.
Quite a lot to contend with.... 
Would he have reacted to them do you think??
for so much hard work we thank ye!!